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Hey, hey…Hey guys! You see that picture right there?! That was my new “to-do” item. CHECKED OFF! Why the excitement? Well, you see, in yesterday’s post – I’m truly awful at this – I said I’d talk about my new to-do…

…And I did! Not but a day later (sure beats 75 days ;).

Monday evening I was sitting in the backyard enjoying a nice, cold refreshing beverage with a friend and staring at the plants, bushes, trees and what was supposedly keeping things in order. Yes, you guessed it, those planters. I realized they had definitely seen better days. The last time those poor things had seen any love was over ten years ago when my grandpa was in the country. He decided to stain them from their natural wood to this odd rusty/orange-y stain, sans sealant. So the weather wear and tear was clearly evident. Ten summers, ten winters and ten in-between the good seasons is A LOT for barely treated wood to handle.

Unlike my extremely poor DIY post about the Beluga dresser and two tables, I’m going to explain what I’ve done here. SUPER EASY! (Oh and before I forget, I used BEHR paint, named Beluga for the dresser – as for the dining room table it’s the same stuff I’ve used here so keep on reading!).

1. I washed and scrubbed down the surface of each of the planter, because I knew I wasn’t going to sand them down (weather helped me out here) I used old-school laundry detergent and warm/hot water and a harsh scrub brush.

2. After doing this to all of them, I rinsed and let them dry off in the sun – thank goodness for this excruciatingly hot weather, cuts down on the drying time for EVERYTHING!

3. I used Varathane Woodstain in Kona. This step was the most tedious. Due to already staining a gigantic table with this stuff I did it my own way, rather than the way the can tells me to. I used a paint brush, painted on the stain on one side, waiting two minutes and wiped down with a cotton cloth. Then went on to the next side, waited two minutes and wiped again. I repeated this step on all the planters and let them all dry for approximately three hours and then did a second coat.

4. The next day (today) I used good ol’ MINWAX Fast-Drying Polyurethane in a Clear Gloss. The reason I chose this stuff is simple, it was left over from another project and that had turned out great :).

Now, I’ve got pretty dark dark dark brown glossy planters, which make the flowers POPand I spent absolutely nothing! Sometimes, going through the garage and tidying up is a good thing, you never know what you’ll find to help ya out with a DIY.

The only problem with this project was that I wore shorts and flip-flops, I came inside and couldn’t believe the mess I made of myself yet I’m all smiles.

Is scatterbrained a word? I was typing it out, put a space between “scatter” and “brained” but even that didn’t look right. Although, what I have written out doesn’t look all that right either. (Note: this is how I’ve been all day). When I decided I wanted to write something out tonight I couldn’t figure out what I’d start with or where I’d go. So here goes.

First! Can I just tell you how honestly heartbroken I am that House is over? Obviously, you clued in by my last post House, Hugh Laurie & heartbreak. I feel, though, that I should explain to you why. Well, reiterate why. Besides that it was a show unlike any other, sarcastic asshole being the main character, a show that played for eight long years and questioned every viewers ideals for even remotely liking a sarcastic asshole. Gregory House wasn’t all that bad. If you haven’t seen the final episode of the series then you might want to stop reading here. When, I thought he was dead, when that building exploded, I was frantic. How could they end eight years just like that! Luckily, they didn’t. When House sent Wilson that text saying “shut up you fool”, I knew he wasn’t really dead. House did the nicest, kindest most genuine thing he could have done. He let everyone believe he really did die in that inferno in order to spend Wilson’s last few months together. So, people, this is why we love him. Deep down, EVERYONE, believed that there was some good in House. At least, I know I did. I will admit this, I cried like a seven year old girl who has lost her favourite Barbie. Not at the end of the show, but the beginning. WAH!

Second! I was going to do a chevron bracelet tutorial, like I said I would, but honestly I just don’t have the time to take the pictures and explain how to. This will have to wait a little while longer. If you can’t wait, I am really sorry :(,but our dear friend Google can help.

Third! I was on Pinterest again last night, as usual, and came by an absolutely easy and delicious recipe for pistachio and rose water ice cream. Yep, the picture above. Doesn’t that just look and sound dreamy? I literally went “oh..my…god” as I saw the picture for it and almost died when I read the recipe. S-I-M-P-L-E. Rather than typing the recipe and preparation out, here’s the link – Javane’s Kitchen. Check out her other recipes, if you like (or as I do, love) Persian cuisine, you’ll fall for her recipes.

NEXXXXT…..I came by this app called Inkflow a few days ago. I’m one of those people who LOVES to doodle and actually write out notes. I’ve tried a bunch of different apps in the last few years of owning an iPhone and nothing has quite compared to this. It’s not entire too sensitive and very very easy to control. There is a free version and a paid version. Give it a shot if you’re like me. Click the photo or the link below for more info :).

Have you ever thought you were born in the wrong generation? I can’t help but think I was. There’s just something about 1930s to 1950s that gets my heart beating. The music, the clothes, the art, the cars! Ah!

It’s funny thinking about it… while tapping away on my laptop, checking my texts ever two seconds, waiting for that certain someone to text back (yeah, I’m a total sob). But seriously! All day, today, I’ve been working on math home and listening to good ol’ rockabilly tunes, big bands and swing. It seems to have got me thinking more and more about the times where things were slightly more simple. Mind you, were they? I mean, heck, people had to actually SEE each other, pick up a pen and paper and WRITE. Holy moly ;). I don’t think I’ve written an actual letter in forever.

Nostalgia is beautiful.

Which brings me to my next thought. Do I really think I was born in the wrong era? I have to say, yes and no. If it weren’t where we are now, I wouldn’t be able to listen to avariety of music. Which wouldn’t really help my silly music A.D.D. However, then it gets me thinking, would I even have music A.D.D. back then? I mean sure, there were different genres then too but how many of them would have been at my finger tips?

It’s just such an odd thought because you find yourself wanting to be there, dying to be there but could any of us leave where we are now (if we could) and go back to whatever era we are in love? Would we love it the same in that case? It reminds me of a Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams movie – Midnight in Paris. They bring up this very same thought through out the movie. Well, Owen Wilson’s character does. I, highly, recommend it. It’s almost got a dark humour to it. Anywho…

Just food for thought. I can tell you right now, I would miss the hell out of my iPhone and laptop. Oh and PVR. Can’t forget about PVR. If it weren’t for that, I’d never be able to watch my shows ;).

Which now brings me to my other random “thing” of the day.

Rather than baking or cooking today, to go with my Nostalgic Nancy feeling, I decided to make little bracelets for my sister. DIY chevron bracelets, in all black, with a teal bead clasp. They turned out super cute. Thank you Pinterest, once again! I’ll do a tutorial when I decide to get different colour embroidery thread – it’s just far too annoying with black.

So there ya have it – my long weekend Sunday, spent in an entirely different world :).

Not too long ago, well okay – a month ago today, I wrote a post titled Traditional Turkish Cooking and talked about attempting to cook traditional foods everyday (or every other day). Clearly, I lied. I have made absolutely no effort, whatsoever, to cook Turkish foods. I’m not entirely sure why. I’m still very interested in attempting it but I’ve just been so side tracked by cooking with zucchini, quinoa and Asian vegetables and sauces that Turkish food just isn’t a priority. So I am writing this as a reminder, mainly to myself, that I will attempt different recipes at least once a week. I’m not promising any photographs or recipes, unless of course I succeed and am proud of what I’ve cooked. Heck, I may not even mention I’ve attempted cooking something if it turns out absurdly awful.

There are two reasons why I may not even mention the failed attempts, should they happen. Number one, I feel like I would be failing my ancestors should I fail. I’d feel as though cooking certain foods should just come to me, naturally. Yes, I do realize how crazy that sounds. Try not to judge too harshly! Number two, well, I’ll probably try the recipe again till I succeed, in which case I will go on to write about the win rather than the lose. I’m a perfectionist and have a hard time giving up on things. Especially things that I am passionate about.

As you can see, I’m trying not to give up on this. Trying is the key word here :).

Sweet dreams, good morning, hello/goodbye.

-D

PS

The two tables I am refinishing (dining room table as well as coffee table) should be done within the next two weeks, I’m hoping. I reiterate, I never thought refinishing was so tedious. Stay tuned for pictures of all the refinishing projects!

I realize that it’s been quite a while since I’ve written, well over a week. Which is kind of odd for me, since I typically write every day or two days. Since I’ve started this blog, that is.

I’ve been busy though, what more can I say? Midterm season arrived in full gust and has now departed, thank goodness. And with that, I welcome back some freedom, yay!

What have I done with my little bits of freedom? PLENTY.

First and foremost, I refinished a dresser, have started the refinishing process of a dining room table as well as a coffee table. The coffee table is proving to be incredibly more tedious than the dresser was or the dining room table is, but I’m sure I’ll survive. As soon as I’ve finished all three projects I’ll be sure to post before and after pictures! Let’s just say, Beluga is the chosen colour (for the dresser and coffee table)…I bet your mind is wandering and you’re saying to yourself “beluga? huh? what?”. It’ll be a surprise.

Now, second, I’ve started watching Mad Men.

What an absolutely brilliant series. If you’re like I was, a Mad Men virgin – WATCH IT. Now. I don’t know what else to say about this show, although I’m only on the first season, I’m hooked. 100% hooked. It’s one of those shows where you think you know the characters, and just as you do know them, turns out you don’t. Gripping, grasping, addicting.

Mind you, I’ve a fascinated with all things 1950s and 60s so this series is perfect, the clothing, the cars, the accessories, the homes, the furniture, the language. I’m in love. Oh, and the story is obviously good as well. Better than good actually, brilliant ;).

-D

PS

I’ve also continued my baking, however, haven’t taken as many photos as usual. I will be posting a recipe for Ginger Orange Cupcakes (which are to die for, and a little more muffin-y, in my opinion) – Stay tuned!

I can’t go a day without coffee. Ever. When I do, come 6 o’clock, I go through major withdrawals. My withdrawals don’t consist of a million symptoms, just one. A headache. No, actually, THE headache. This headache is so awful that I can’t leave the house, let alone walk from point a to point b in the house. I’m paralyzed. Sad, isn’t it?

My coffee addiction today was satisfied. Just as the coffee maker beeped at me to let me know “hey, hellooo, I’m ready”, I realized that I didn’t have a clean mug – and the dishwasher was running. I looked at where all of our mugs and glasses are, nothing, nada. I was in absolutely no mood to burn my hand whilst using a water glass. No, sirry! Then it dawned on me, “that mason jar is the same size as my regular coffee cup AND it won’t burn me”. Sheer happiness. I know you’re probably thinking, “why didn’t she just grab a dirty mug and wash it???”. Well, ya see, I was just beyond lazy. Worst case scenario, I would have definitely cleaned one up.

The mason jar coffee cup, indeed, was a success. I got my daily dose and was drinking out of glass wear that I am seriously drawn to. I’ve got bunches of mason jars in my room. They hold my pens, pencils, paint brushes as well as some of my paints. They’re even in my bathroom, keeping my cotton puffs and q-tips nice and clean.

My next DIY project, which I stumbled on to via Pinterest (as usual), will consist of a mason jar; sand, dirt, rocks, or all; and a candle. A mason jar lantern, brilliant isn’t it?! Here’s the link, Make it Do by Calli. She’s got some pretty great “make it do” projects. This by far being my favourite. Cannot wait to try them out!

Oh, also, I do plan to use this INSIDE and outside. I’ll probably make a couple just as candle holders :).

Homework beckons once again.

-D.

PS

As I was on the Flipboardapp on my iPhone, I came across the cuppow! Oh the endless possibilities for mason jars ;)

It’s out! It’s out! What you may ask? Well, if you’re just tuning in, I suppose I should explain my excitement. The sock bunis out. I woke up this morning, after an incredibly rested sleep, brushed my teeth, put my face on and decided “Okay, it’s time, now or never!” and removed my hair that was in the sock bun (kind of reminded me of a donut, really pretty and vintage ;)).

My verdict? It’s absolutely awesome. If you’re like me, and hate the tedious task of actually using flat-irons and curling irons then this is the method for you. I will say this though, I should have been a little more tidy with some of the pieces I tucked into the bun, there are a couple of pieces that look like I just got electrocuted. Majority of my hair is gorgeous, big and small curls, definitely a natural look.

Although it’s said to be an overnight method, I really don’t see why it can’t be an all day method. By this I mean that if you know you’ve got plans later on…. Wake up, shower, blow dry your hair just so it’s damp enough (NOT SOAKING) and just put your hair up in the bun. I mean sure it looks a little silly, totally old school and like something old women would stile there hair like but in all honest, it’s not like walking out with curlers in your hair, hehe. Besides, no one can see the sock!

So there ya have it, the sock bun worked it’s magic and my hair is pretty and wavy and curly. I’m pretty impressed and happy. Homework beckons.